As Christmas season winds down and we look toward the New Year ahead, we remain inspired this season by the amazing generosity of a woman who loved her hometown of Natchez deeply.

Edna Raphael Belle grew up in Natchez, but made her fame and life’s calling far from the historic city she called home. Belle became a theatrical dancer of national renown, rubbing career elbows with entertainment legends Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan and Jerry Lewis, just to name a few.

But despite her fame, the love of her hometown never faded.

After living an amazing 101 years on earth, Belle put her life’s earnings back into projects and organizations to which she felt near and dear.

She donated $100,000 to Memphis’ St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Belle also donated more than $75,000 in large donations to a few of our area’s non-profit organizations. The remainder of the more than $320,000 she left went to 29 couples and individuals in $5,000 blocks.

Her generosity and forethought — all of her wishes were detailed in her will — serves to inspire us today.

How many of us vow to make a difference in our lives? How many of actually follow through on that vow?

Belle realized that much of what she made of her life and career started in Natchez. Her sense of obligation to give back something to the city she so dearly loved should make us all pause and ask ourselves, “What have I done to make Natchez better lately?”